GODS NOT GOING TO SPIT ME OUT!!

Praise the Lord everybody and merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!! I pray you are all enjoying this blessed holiday season remembering always that Jesus is the reason for the season.
This is the time of year that we set our goals for the coming year, our New Years resolutions we like to call them. My desire for this coming year is the same as it was last year, I want to be closer to God this year, I want to be more obedient to God than last year and I want to be used by Him more than last year.

Unfortunately for me the Devil has found out these things and is fighting me "tooth and nail" as I strive to overcome my disability and pain in order to serve God. I cannot just be a Sunday go to meeting type Christian who only goes to church on Sunday and basically ignores Christ the rest of the week. I want to be on fire for the Lord all the time. Jesus states in Revelation 3:14-16     14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian because lukewarm Christians are unremarkable and do unremarkable things. Jesus would rather we be hot and zealous in our faith. Cold is better than lukewarm because at least if you are cold God knows where you stand but lukewarm means at one point you were hot and have since waxed cold in your faith and now you are neither hot nor cold and therefore useless to Him.

David knew what It meant to be "hot" for the Lord and he wrote in Psalm 69:3-9 3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

Being on fire for the Lord means being scorned by lukewarm Christians and nonbelievers. Those who don't understand your fire hate your fire. Those who hate God now hate you, those who claim to be Christians with their mouths but who have hidden sin are convicted by your very presence and refuse to use that conviction to change their ways because they love their sin more than they fear God. They will give you nick names like "Deac","Rev"and "preacher" and they use them not out of respect but out of hate and jealousy.

Yet I look forward to these things knowing this is the way that is mapped out by God for those who would pick up their cross and follow Him. Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 4:7-11    8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh
               LET THAT HOLY GHOST FIRE BURN IN YOU
         God bless you All, brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
                   

THE SABBATH REST AND JESUS CHRIST

Praise the Lord everybody! Let everything that has breath Praise His holy name! I pray you all are enjoying God’s blessing as much as I am. One of those blessings is God’s peace and rest, which He gifted to us through His son Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Genesis that on the seventh day God rested from His labors and that He blessed it and sanctified it because in it He had rested from all His labors.(Genesis chapt.2) Moses wrote Genesis for the Jewish people after he gave them the law as a way of explaining the law amongst other things.
Exodus 31:16+17  states  16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
This is The Law, The Old Covenant, there is nothing wrong with setting aside a day of rest in honor of what God has done, a day of fellowship and worship. Then comes Jesus the Christ who brought with Him a new Covenant known as the New Testament. Jesus states in Matthew 12:1-8      At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.
2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, He created it, he goes on to state in verse 9-13  9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Jesus let us know that rules were not more important than people or animals and that it is lawful to do “well” on the Sabbath as well as during the rest of the week. Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest in the flesh, He who came to save the “lost sheep” and the salvation He afforded them/us was more important then rules. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus states    28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Jesus offers us rest from our burden of sin. He offers us rest in our flesh and rest for our eternal souls. When Jesus had finished His work hanging on the cross for our sins, He said “it is finished” and arose to His “rest” at the right hand of God the father. When we finish our work here on earth for the Lord we will ourselves say it is finished and enter into our eternal rest with Him. When God ordained a day of rest after our labors back in Exodus it was just a precursor to the rest that would come in the form of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let me end with this, Hebrews 4:2-11     2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

My time is well spent so let me just say this, don’t neglect the assembling of yourselves together as the word of God says. Keep the Sabbath, keep it holy,   whatever day that is to you and believe on Jesus, He is our peace and rest.
God Bless you All, Brother Darrell, Speaking off the Wall

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!

   

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him because He is worthy to be praised. I am about to embark on a journey through the word of God many refuse to take on their own, they would rather depend on their feelings or on hearsay when it comes down to the question of “once saved always saved.” The whole question of “once saved always saved” boils down to this, can a person accept Christ as his Lord and savior then either backslide into sinful behavior without repentance or never stop such behavior in the first place and still reap the rewards of salvation, the reward being everlasting life with God in Heaven. 

Some might say “why take a chance? Live a repentant Christian life to the best of your ability and stay in fellowship with God. That in part is my view also, but let’s see what the word of God says. Jesus says in Luke 9:62    2 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

He also said in Matthew 7:21- 27  21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Jesus was letting us know that once we have been delivered from sin not to go back to our sinful lifestyle and even then only those who do the will of God will enter the kingdom of Heaven. God makes salvation available to us, it is up to us to grab hold of it. We don’t have to be perfect but when we fall short of the mark we must repent with Godly sorrow get up and keep on striving. 

Jesus again says in Matthew 24:10-13   10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

It’s not just what you profess that gets you into Heaven but what you live  also. So according to scripture I will say it again, “why take a chance?” Make your salvation sure, live all you can for the Lord while you can. I can go on and on with this but I will end with, 

Hebrews 10:26-31   26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

          God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
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HEAR NO EVIL!!

Praise the Lord everybody for He alone is worthy to be praised!! God is a wonder to my soul, He never ceases to amaze me. The key is obedience. God has proven to me over and over again that He knows what's best for me, in all things.  Every time I try to figure out my own way things get tangled up but when God whispers in my ear "do this son" even when it makes no sense, when I am obedient I get blessed.

I'm about to get blessed again because God has put it on my heart to write this third segment of a series called "Hear No Evil." Some of you might ask "where is that in the word of God?" and I would say "?it's in there." In Timothy 4:2-4 God's word states  2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Paul also states in Galatians 1:6-9   6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

We have to avoid false prophets and evil doctrine because they are sent by the enemy to lure us away from the truth and from the author of that truth, Jesus Christ. My mother who was raised a Christian and still claims Christ as her Lord and savior has this habit of opening her door for every religious group that knocks on her door and she accepts and then reads their paraphernalia. She does not use the opportunity to evangelize them rather they evangelize her. Now my mother is so confused in her doctrine that she has incorporated something from each one into her beliefs on serving God.

This is why it states in 2nd John verses 10 and 11    10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.  

So when that nice old Jehovah's Witness couple comes to your door either preach the gospel to them or bid them to move on from your door. I know the truth, God has revealed it to me and I don't need to listen to or study any other so called "truths." Our Jobs as Christians are to evangelize not be evangelized, bring light to darkness and not be overtaken by the darkness.

        God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

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SPEAK NO EVIL!!

Praise the Lord everybody! because He alone is worthy to be praised!!!! I don't have enough words to describe how I feel as God prepares me for the "stretch run" in these last and evil days. I have received a new anointing, a fresh infilling and a renewed vision. I have sought a closer, stronger and more consecrated relationship with Him and He has granted my request. I have a more obedient spirit and I have cleaned out my spiritual ears so that I can hear when He speaks to me.

In my last post, "See no evil!" I spoke about the eye gate and the importance of keeping it clean and holy. Today I am continuing with what God has been dealing with me about, the power of the tongue. The word of God says in James 3:4-10    4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

Words have power! Power to uplift and power to tear down. In the body of Christ, it is not unusual to find gossip and backbiting going on. Souls come in broken down with sin and abused by Satan only to be shunned and verbally slapped around by older "established" Christians who make new converts feel like they're going through "hell week" at a college Fraternity. This why God said in His word in Ephesians 4:29-32  29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We must stop using our mouths to destroy our brothers and sisters in Christ and also stop chasing away new converts and sinners who are searching for deliverance. James 1:19 was correct in saying  19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

We need to take out time to hear from God before we speak into another person's life whenever possible, no emotional rushing to judgment, no quick saying of "doth sayeth the Lord" before we hear the Lord really say it.
Proverbs 6: 16-19 states    16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

So let us be careful not to let any corrupt communication come out of our mouths except that which God has ordained for the chastisement and edification of His people. Let us encourage and not discourage with our conversation, both verbal and nonverbal.

         God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
   
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SEE NO EVIL!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Praise Him in the morning! praise Him in the evening!! praise Him when the sun goes down!! because He alone is worthy to be praised! something good is about to happen, something wonderful is in store, I feel it in my bones. God is about to do something special. Bless His holy name!!

Since we stopped watching certain T.V. shows and started spending more quality time in God's presence we have been blessed with more restful sleep. less stress and more joy and less pain. We have a new anointing!!

The word states in 1st John 2:15-17    15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I had to get real with myself so that I could get real with God. I was caught up in the lust of the eyes which is what the media counts on, they call it the "cliffhanger" or "the hook" their goal is to get the world hooked on their "product." The world says "sex sells" weather it is homo sex, hetero sex, metro sex or extramarital sex. The world also loves the anti-hero, the reprobate, like Walter White from Breaking Bad, Tony Soprano from the Sopranos, both "likable" criminal killers. there's Olivia Pope from Scandal, Cookie and Luscious Lyons from Empire and Annalise Keating from How To Getaway With Murder, all dysfunctional people who have no problem lying, robbing or killing to get their way just to name a few.

These are the people the world wants us to idolize.  These are the shows and characters we can't wait to watch and talk about week after week. Not to mention the onslaught of Homosexual couples that are now featured on just about every show. It's time we open our spiritual eyes and see what the enemy is trying to do.  How do we protect our eye gate? Where do we turn for entertainment? I remember to whom I used to turn,  who held my attention just like an episode of Law And Order SVU does today. Jesus Christ.

I am not the Man of God I could be, or even used to be because my eyes have wondered from the prize and now I have to repair the damage that has been done through my "eye gate" over the years. Job said in Job 31:1   I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

I am making a new covenant with my eyes, not to watch the unclean thing or shows with no redeeming value at all. In this multi media age it's not easy to consecrate your eyes but with God's help, I'm going to try. If I follow His instructions how can I fail?

           God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

SO YOU THINK YOU''RE ANOINTED?!!!

Praise the Lord everyone!! For He alone is worthy to be praised!! I feel my breakthrough coming! Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! He has been patient with me as He has brought me lovingly through all my trials and tribulations, my learning experiences, as I call them. I have been hard headed and disobedient at times but God has looked beyond my faults and saw my needs. Now I must go forward and do my part to fulfill my mission in Christ.

As I sit today pondering my road to this point I can't help but think about a lesson I learned long ago that unfortunately many in the Body of Christ seem to have not learned yet, and that is that the gifts that God has given us all are without repentance. Romans 11:29- 30 states   29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

You can see it in many churches and ministries these days. There is a lack of power, there is a power outage in the body of Christ. Where are the the people being delivered? the healing? or the signs and wonders? The Choir sounds good, The preacher is preaching hard but the people are just sitting there, no lifting up of Holy Hands, no shouting, no dancing, no brokenness or any other moves of the Holy Spirit. What is missing? the anointing of God that's what, and the sad part is those who are ministering are saying "I sound great, so it must be them, they ain't right."

Sounding good and preaching dynamic, well conceived sermons only means that the gift God gave you at birth is at work but the power that is needed to destroy yokes and heal people is missing because you are not in correct standing and relationship with God.

A perfect example is the show "Sunday Best", the "Christian" version of "American Idol" Some singers get on stage and sing technically beautiful and pitch perfect but when they sing nothing happens. Then the next singer gets up they have some pitch problems and their voice cracks at times but while they sing tears begin to fill your eyes, people lift up holy hands and shout "glory!!" and some even get up and praise dance, That is the anointing!! Isaiah 10:27 states     27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. 

The power is in the anointing!! It's not how good you sound or look, Your gifts are without repentance! God does not take back His gifts no matter how you are living but His anointing is only given to those who are in right standing with Him and God will remove His anointing if you fall out of fellowship with Him. That is why you can go see somebody one time and the glory of the Lord and His anointing can be all over them and a week later you see them and the glory of God is gone, the light has gone out. This is the "Ichabod."(see 1st Samuel 4:21) I know because it happened to me. People asking behind my back "what happened to him?" What happened was I was in a back sliding state! I was grieving the Holy Ghost and my anointing was taken from me. My ministry became un-effective. 

We can't lean on our gifts alone, thinking that we are getting away with something and/or accomplishing something because our "gifts" appear to be working in full effect. you might be able to fool some "weak" Christians but the lack of power in your ministry will expose you.
Living in holy obedience to God is the only way to add the anointing to your gifts, and to do the work God has called you to your gonna need it.

   God Bless you All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off the Wall

"I CRIED HOLY!!"

P:raise the Lord everybody! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!! He alone is worthy to be praised!! I love the Lord, I really do but sometimes I have a strange way of showing HIM how much I love Him.

I was thinking back again to how it was when I first "got saved."
How often I found myself weeping before God, overcome by His presence with a brokenness just at the mere thought of what He had done for me. It didn't matter where I was or who I was with, when I thought about how great I felt the day He lifted that burden of sin up off of me I would break down and cry. I mean weep great big tears, just imagine a six foot four inch grizzly bear sobbing like a baby.
Where has it all gone? I ask myself these days. When was the last time I wept before the Lord? When was the last time I lifted up Holy hands in praise in the sanctuary? Psalm 34:17- 19 states  17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

I asked myself this, "why DO I find myself in constant trials and tribulation? Has my heart hardened? Have I become indifferent to the goodness of God? Have I forgotten from whence cometh my help?" I think not! My help comes from the Lord! I know my redeemer lives!! But what I have done is to allow the T.V. media to dominate my time. These days as I struggle to re ignite the fires and return to my former place in Him, I do so in faith knowing that He never left me nor forsook me and has been with me throughout my trials.

The other night I listened to one of my favorite, put you in the presence of God, songs. It is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's "Cry Holy" with Micheal English. For years I would listen to That very anointed track and it would usher me into God's presence. I would lift up Holy hands, close my eyes and bask in His light, at times weeping and singing His praises.

2nd Chronicles 5:13+14  states     13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.     

The other night for the first time in years, the glory of the Lord filled me and the house, "hallelujah!!" I shouted as I cried "Holy, my God is Holy" along with Micheal English and Brooklyn Tab. Choir. God is restoring me, reshaping and reestablishing me. I will sing God's praise because He has done such a marvelous thing, and with music or without music I will spend quality time before Him and bask in His presence in the beauty of holiness.

So now instead of binge watching T.V. and movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime before I go to bed at night, I get my praise on and enjoy a peaceful nights sleep. If I open my eyes in the middle of the night I say "speak Lord" and I lay quietly listening for His voice and in the morning before I even speak to my wife I spend time praying and thanking Him. God has brought me a mighty long way, again.

        God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
        

GUILTY PLEASURES

Praise the Lord everybody!! for He alone is worthy to be praised!! God is the joy and the strength of my life, He is my all and all and I love him. He has shown me time and time again that He is real, God is real!! So my goal in life is to let Him know that I am for real in my love and devotion to Him. I want to be real in my walk, real in my talk and real in my worship. Jesus said in John 4:23+24    23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Being true to God means being truthful to oneself, "keeping it real" with God and yourself as many like to say. I began examining myself and I found myself guilty of something many Christians are also guilty of. I continually put my salvation and deliverance to the test. How do we do it? Take, for example, a lot of us including myself have been delivered from drugs and alcohol but still, we find ourselves watching and fixated on movies and T.V. shows like, The Wire, Scar Face, Blow, New Jack City, American Gangster, King Pin, Boardwalk Empire and a host of others.

Galatians 4:8+9 states  8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 

why do we continue to take fire unto our bosom when we know we were delivered by God from pyromania? (Prov. 6:27,28) When God delivered me from drugs He also delivered me from pornography, but if you look at any T.V. or movies nowadays you can't help but notice that most have at least one scene that can be considered pornographic. Despite this I find myself watching shows like Scandal, Empire, Board Walk Empire, even shows like Grey's Anatomy and Hell on Wheels have simulated sex scenes and those are just the shows that I watch.

Proverbs 6: 27,28 states  27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

What about those Christians that Have been delivered from homosexuality? With homosexuality being pushed on T.V. shows 24/7 like crack in a crack house, where can they turn to on their T.V.'s and feel safe?

And we have the nerve to call these shows "guilty pleasures" when we watch them. The key word here being "guilty". When we watch these shows or participate in borderline activities we are guilty of playing fast and loose with our salvation, our deliverance from such things and our anointing for ministry. That's right ministry, you don't get to have powerful ministries like Paul or Isaiah or Peter and even more recent ministries such as Billy Graham, David Wilkerson, Benny Hinn, A.A. Allen etc. without a certain amount of Consecration, faith, obedience, and holiness.

"Guilty pleasures" are just that, pleasures that make us guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit. When I first accepted Christ and was discipled under David Wilkerson at Time Square Church, I did not own a T.V. and kept just a radio to listen to Christian Radio, the News and sports. I kind of miss those days, there were no "guilty pleasures" no-shows without any redeeming value, that's consecration.

So as of right now, I'm going to stop playing with fire and take "Empire, Scandal and How to commit murder", off my must-watch list and anything else that might grieve the Holy Spirit or interfere with my anointing and my ability to serve God. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti Television, I just want to stop fooling myself about "guilty pleasures" and what it takes to serve God, after all, there's more at stake than just having a piece of cake when you're on a diet.

          God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

LIVING BY FAITH: OLD SCHOOL STYLE!!

Praise the Lord everybody! because He alone is worthy to be praised! Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! I'm really enjoying what God is doing in my life. He is doing a work in me, a painful work at times but a work that will be to my benefit in the end. So I say "work on Lord, work on."

The other night I was praying, asking God "When Lord When are you going to move concerning my recent trials and tribulations". He began to deal with me concerning the current shape of His Church and the watering down of the spirit of today's so-called "men of God." He seemed to be rebuking me as He brought the following scriptures to mind, Hebrews 11:32-37      32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they have sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

God was letting me know what real men of faith endured because of their faith and are still enduring today, but where are today's examples? Where are today's men of faith? Our so-called Church leaders today bend and fold like a Castro Convertible couch when it comes time to stand up for issues that are not popular with the people, for example, the mainstreaming of homosexuality. those willing to stand up for the Word of God are few and far between.

Most of today's "men of God" seem to be only concerned about what can be gained in the here and now, the above scripture talks about men of faith who endured torture "that they might obtain a better resurrection:" We need to be praying less "take this cup" and more " not mine but thine will be done." God knows what's best for us, each and every one of us has a purpose and each and everything we go through has a reason in His plan.

When we ask God to remove us from certain situations we must also ask if it is His will for us to be removed. We must stop saying we trust God, and start proving we trust God. When God allows various trials to come upon us it's because He is trying to make us, mold us and prepare us to go to higher heights and deeper depths in Christ.

It's hard on the flesh but medicine for the spirit, we must remember that we are no longer ruled by the flesh but by the spirit of God. The same spirit that empowered Jesus to drink His "cup" is available to us so that we may drink ours. Jesus drank His in faith believing He would be raised on the third day and God wants to raise us also.

      God Bless you All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

SALVATION! : THIS AIN'T MUSICAL CHAIRS!!

Praise the Lord everybody! because He alone is worthy to be praised!! What can I say, God is moving by His spirit in my wife and I's life right now. We are breaking out with a new anointing and we're not looking back at our past trials and tribulations but we are pressing on toward the vision God has shown us concerning our ministry now and our future ministry. We are not giving up and we are not turning back, we are going on in Jesus name and we are not stopping until we hear "well done, well done."

I've been noticing that lately a lot of "Christians" have been playing musical chairs with their salvation and right now they hear the music of the world and they are dancing to the beat, hoping that when the "music" stops and Jesus returns, all the "chairs" won't be taken. How do I know this? because I used to do it myself back in the day. Every time I heard the "music" play I had to get up and dance at the same time making sure that every Sunday I found an empty seat at a church where I pretended to be pious for my church family.
Thanks be to God who gave me the victory,who showed me how to stop playing "musical chairs" with my salvation and my relationship with God. First He brought this scripture back to mind, 2nd Peter 1:5-10 states  5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
It became apparent to me that If I was able to play "musical chairs" with my faith that their must be something lacking in my foundation and the time had come to examine myself and add those things to my life. I no longer have to be concerned about weather I'll have a seat when the "music" stops and Jesus comes. The word says for us to do our due "diligence" to make our "calling and election sure."    
Make your calling and election sure, stop playing "musical chairs" with your salvation and examine yourself. If you are lacking anything in your walk with God including those things mentioned in the above scripture, ask God to help you obtain it. In James 4:2+3 it states  2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

We need to stop asking God for earthly, carnal things and ask for those things that will help us stand, help us be obedient and will help us live Holy, those other things I just pray "Lord let your will be done in this situation." I want my election and calling to be "sure" I never want to play "musical chairs" with my salvation again and neither should any of you.

   God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall.

FLESH, GET THEE BEHIND!! I GOT ONE MORE ROUND!!

Praise the Lord everybody, for He alone is worthy to be praised!! I pray everyone is enjoying God's blessing because this is the time. God is pouring out His spirit on those who are willing to receive it.

God has got me obeying His will on another level right now and some of the things He has me doing may seem strange to some and you may even question motives and even my relationship with God. Just know this, I am going to obey God no matter how it looks to the world. I have come too far in Him to turn back now. God brought me the hard way, He taught me to say what I mean and mean what I say, a hard lesson for a former low self-esteem people pleaser like myself.

For the last couple of days I have been mulling over the many afflictions I have suffered these last 4 years as I've tried to take my ministry to another level at my church, pressing my way to a certain point and then comes the attack of the enemy, the physical breakdown and the next thing I know I've missed six months of church. After this happens to you about three or four times your flesh starts to talk to you.

Your flesh starts to question the sanity of gearing up one more time for the press. Your flesh starts saying things like "maybe God is trying to tell you something, maybe God wants you to do all your ministry online from home, maybe He wants you to leave First Church." Maybe you even listen to your flesh a little bit until you remember the things that God showed you, the things He promised concerning your ministry and all the events God showed you happened at First Church.

It is at this point that I stopped listening and said "FLESH! GET THEE BEHIND, FOR YOU HAVE NOT IN MIND THE THINGS OF GOD!" When you have a calling on your life the devil will use whatever he can to stop your ministry from going forth.

Jesus once had to rebuke Peter for the same thing in Mark 8: 31-33 when He said     31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him.

33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
The Devil will use your flesh to speak to you, to hinder you because that is what your flesh does best, it talks you into doing things that benefit the flesh and not God and His spirit. I am sure the argument that Peter was making about Jesus not dying sounded good to His flesh but Jesus had to rebuke those thoughts and remember why He came in the first place.

I began to do the same thing. I thought back to every vision, every word of knowledge God had given me concerning my ministry and they all happened at my church, not at home and not at another church. So I'm gearing up one more time, for one more press. I know what God said and I believe God and not my flesh. The word says in Numbers 23: 19 + 20   19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good

20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

I want everything that God has for me and I want to complete all my assignments from here on out, so from now until God calls me home, every morning I'm going to tell my flesh and Satan "get thee behind me because you have not in mind the things of God." I'm going one more round because I believe God and I say to you all don't throw in the towel if you believe God has something out there for you, Go one more round.
       God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
  

OBEDIENCE: A KEY TO THE KINGDOM!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Lift up your heads oh ye gates!! Be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in!
I need you now more than ever Lord, come and quench this thirsting in my soul. As I am being purged of my impurities so that God can lift me up and use me in these last and evil days. No matter how much you think your living right, there is always something deep inside that God sees that He wants to expose and free you from, and if we let Him have his way in our lives He will purify us for His service.

Deuteronomy 24:1-7 states     And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.   

This scripture starts out saying if we would "hearken diligently" unto Gods voice and follow "all His commandments" that we will be blessed in all the ways written above. My desire is to be diligent in my quest to be fully obedient to God. This is no time for half measures, God is calling His soldiers up to the front lines and I am a soldier. An obedient soldier.

The more I search the scripture the more I realize how important holiness and obedience are to God, how important it is that His people separate themselves from the world. Paul said 2nd Corinthians 13:5  5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

The time has come for us to examine ourselves, those of us who call ourselves "Christians" and men and woman of God, I know I am. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 21    1 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

There it is again, the importance of being obedient to God's will. There will be many who think they are getting into Heaven who are going to be greatly disappointed. Jesus said in verses 22+23  22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.   

I do not want to be one of the disappointed, so I examine myself every day and I seek His voice and guidance in all I do and when He speaks I not only listen but I do my best to be obedient. I wish I could say I was always obedient but I'm trying and God is not through with me yet.
        God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

THERE'S BEING CHRISTIAN, AND THEN THERE'S HOLINESS: STEP UP YOUR "GAME"

Praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy to be praised!!He is Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our faith and I love Him. As much as I love him I know He loves me more. God has blessed me with many gifts and has invested a lot of time in me and He has seen, in my eyes, very little return on His investment up to this point. Yet He still loves me and cares for me. I am determined that for whatever time I have left, to put my gifts and my life to good use at whatever He asks me to do. Paul said in Romans 12: 1+ 2       I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

One of the key words in this scripture is "holy", holy, acceptable unto God. A lot of times we come to God in our "mess", unrepentant, and we expect Him to bless us and our mess(our sin).
Look around you and then look at yourself and then ask yourself, "how many truly holy living people do I know?" Uncompromising, Holy Ghost filled and living everything they know by faith people. The answer for me is very few, but According to everything I've read in the scriptures this is what God expects from His people.

 First Peter  1: 15+16 states 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.    

The dictionary says living holy means   Living or undertaken with highly moral or spiritual purpose; saintly: a holy person; a holy way of life. After contemplating on this a while, I began to realize that I had better step up my game if I want to make it in. My gifts mean nothing unless I use them in a holy way. there are well over 500 scriptures that mention the word holy the term Christian is only mentioned three times in the Bible. There are a lot of people going around claiming to be Christians but how many would dare to claim that they are holy men and woman of God? very few, yet it is obvious that this is what is required of us.

  1st Peter 2:9 states    9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

I'm not trying to burst anybodies bubble but there is being Christian and then there is Holiness, and it is we who have set the tone. With all our compromising and inability to stand up to temptation and our secret sins we have brought forth a sort of Gospel light where "it's all good" as long as we do it with love. Peter was not preaching "Gospel light" neither was Paul or any of the Apostles, just ask Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts Chapter 5).

When you are trying to live holy you will be talked about, called a legalest, a fanatic, a zealot and a religious nut, mostly because people prefer to pull you down rather than climb up to you, just ask Nehemiah. All I have to do is think of Hebrews 12:14    14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

I want to see the Lord in the beauty of Holiness one day and if that means stepping up my "game" so to speak, then so be it.

    God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

IT'S ME OH LORD: MY OWN STUMBLING BLOCK!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Because He alone is worthy to be praised. I can't thank God enough for what He's doing in my life, how He's shown me another level of prayer, shown me another level of obedience, another way of seeing things and another way of doing things. The reason I say "He has shown me" is because all God can do is show us the way but it is up to us to follow His lead.
God has equipped me for the journey but it is I who must still walk the path.
In my last post I wrote about obeying God on another level and I must be obedient right now and write about what God Has been dealing with me about these last few days. I was sitting around thinking about my old football playing days in high school and college, how much I loved the game and how different my life would have been Had I not gotten injured in my senior year in High School. I kept going over it and over it in my mind until God began to remind me of what really happened.

He reminded me of how I walked away from my college football career because I was not willing to pay the physical price it took to continue. Of course He was right, I began to look back over my life, my life before Christ that is. Not long after I quit football my sister and I started writing songs together and producing demo records, before long we started our own production company, things were going pretty good until we ran into some financial problems concerning studio time. I walked away from the music business to go in to nursing school, telling myself that the extra income would help us meet our expenses until we had our first hit song. Needless to say I never went back to the music business and despite a successful nursing career I never reached my full potential in nursing because of drug addiction and then physical disability.

I began to feel sad about all the things I did not accomplish over my life, all the missed opportunities but God said not to look back at what I didn't accomplish but look forward to what I still can accomplish. These two scriptures were brought to mind, Philippians 3:13-14   13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. And,
1st Corinthians 9:24    24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

I have decided to not only finish this Christian race but to run a race worthy of winning a prize, verse 25 states  25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

There are so many blessings that God had prepared for me that I blew because I pulled up lame as I came down the home stretch, too many to cover in this post. I am more determined now than ever to  not only to run but to endure to the end. Just as it says in God's word, 2nd Timothy 2:3,4         3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

I had forgotten that we are all soldiers in God's army and I had to revisit one of my early blog post titled "I am a soldier"(check archives). Also it says in James 1:12    12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
This world is full of temptation, one of those temptations for me according to my history is to give up when the pain or the task becomes to tough on my flesh. Then I think about Jesus, Paul writes in Hebrews 12:1+2         Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If Jesus can endure the cross for our sins then why can't I endure a few trials, tribulations and temptations for His name sake. I am a soldier and I will endure until He comes or calls me home. No taking down, No turning back.

        God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

DISOBEDIENCE: A HARD HEAD MAKES A SOFT BEHIND!!

Praise the Lord everybody! for He alone is worthy to be praised! I love the Lord, He has been so good to me and my wife, even in our trials, our tribulations and our acts of disobedience. God's grace and mercies are new every morning. We have tasted and seen that the Lord truly is good. Our feeble works are as "filthy rags" to Him as we try and earn His love and His favor. We alone cannot do it.

As I read through the Bible I see example after example of how disobedience can cause the man or woman of God to suffer many trials and afflictions. I am also a witness to that fact. The trial my wife and I are going through right now is due to me not totally obeying the instructions God gave me years ago, now I am reaping the fruit of my disobedience.

Just as Jonah had to spend three days in the belly of a fish because he didn't want to go to Nineveh, just as Sampson suffered at the hands of the Philistines because he let his hair be cut and he married outside of his people against his parents wishes. There are many more accounts of the consequences of disobeying God, David, Paul as Saul, Moses at the rock and the list goes on and on.

Being obedient is more than just going to Church, paying your tithes and offering and saying all the right things. Being obedient is listening to that still small voice and doing what it says when it tells you to put another $20 dollars in the plate when it comes around, when it says "don't take that job offer" when you've always wanted that job, when it tells you the one you love is not the one for you, when it tells you to quit your good job and go into full time ministry,this is obedience to God.

Fifteen years ago God spoke to me and told me it was "time to get my house in order" meaning my physical body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, I was over weight and my body was just starting to break down. He put me in a position to do so, He gave me favor with the ministry I was \involved with and they provided me with everything I would need, diet, exercise equipment and encouragement and I took advantage of it. Then I was offered a job, a job I really wanted but God said "no". I convinced myself that I had misunderstood and  God's "no" was really a "yes" and I took the Job.

To make a long story short, that was the end of the weight loss program, I eventually relapsed on drugs and my body broke down to the point where I couldn't work anymore and had to get on disability. All Though the relapse on drugs was short lived, I am still on disability and suffering in my body and struggling to lose weight. I am believing God for my healing but all this could have been avoided if I had just done what God had told me to do back then. God knows our future outcomes and what lays in wait for us around every corner. We can avoid these pit falls if we would only take heed of His warnings.

Isaiah 1:16-20 states    16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

If you truly want to be blessed and favored of God learn to be obedient in all things. Like my mom always says "a hard head makes a soft behind."

      God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

THE LIGHT OF GOD DOES NOT DIVIDE: IT UNITES!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Because He alone is worthy to be praised!! I pray every one of you is enjoying God's blessing. God is in the blessing business, every time He wakes us up in the morning He's blessing us. Every breath we take, every move we make, every bit of food we eat it's by His grace and His mercy that we have these things. This week He brought my wife through three simultaneous surgical procedures safe and sound, hallelujah!! He gave us a new air conditioner before another heat wave came along. He has taken us to a higher place in Him. Getting here was not easy but it was well worth it.

I noticed something over the past ten years or so about being a holy man of God, filled with the Holy Spirit of God to the point where the glory of God is shining brightly from your face, and that is people try not to spend too much time around you. That includes other Christians. I'm not talking about myself in particular but other men of God like my Pastor, Elder Johnny Green and other strong men of God I've known over the years. People have a tendency to cross to the other side of the street when they see them coming and I was reminded of Moses in Exodus 34:29-33   29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come nigh him.

31 And Moses called unto them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

The glory of the Lord is a bright, sin exposing, convicting, holy light that emanates from God and those who spend quality time in His presence and are filled with His spirit. I can understand the world running away from the light. The Bible states in John 3: 19+20    19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

This is why the world avoids the light but the children of Israel were Gods chosen people and today just as then many of God's people, Christians, prefer not to spend to much time in the presence of those who are spending quality time in God's presence. They not only cross the street, if they can when they see them approaching but they do their best to assault their character behind their backs. Why does this happen when the opposite should be happening John chapter 3 verse 21 states    21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

In other words, if you are living right before God there is no reason to hide, you want people to see what God is doing in you and through you. Also, let me say this, it is a wonderful thing to be able to freely enjoy the fellowship with the men and women of God when you are not concerned about how bright their light is shining on you because it just means more of God's love and warmth in your life. If and when you are overtaken by a fault, confess your sin, repent and continue to stay in the light. God's word says if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Brothers and sisters don't "hate" on those who have given themselves over to God to the point where they are filled with His light shines brightly through them, seek them out, emulate them, encourage them because there is a high price they have paid for such an anointing. Just a little something to think about.
                             God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

THE OLD LANDMARKS WILL NEVER LEAD YOU ASTRAY!

Praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy to be praised!! I love the Lord, and He is my all and all. My wife and I are learning more and more to accept what God allows and totally trust in the Lord. Right now the going is rough and whatever can go wrong has gone wrong, but what do I know, God IS in charge, He knows best.

As I sit and watch and wait on the Lord I notice that there are  more and more people walking around this country aimlessly, seemingly lost and a lot of them claim to be Christian. The Church is losing it's way and turning aside from the path of Holiness, distracted by the glitter of this world. We are losing sight of the pathways forged by our Church forefathers.

PROVERBS 22: 28 states    28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

It started when This country, which considered itself a God fearing Christian country began changing it's so called "blue laws" in the 60's allowing stores to be open on Sundays and sell beer even on Sunday mornings encouraging people to go shopping or drinking on Sunday mornings instead of  encouraging people to go to Church, which the "blue laws" were created to do. They've taken prayer out of Schools, taken down the Ten commandments in court rooms, taken down Nativity scenes from public displays and are taking "In God we trust" off our money.

Our Church's have lost faith in the power of prayer and the Holy Ghost and are turning to the world for things and ideas to draw the people in to fill their seats. Jesus said in John 12: 32 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
We have to stop lifting up men, concerts, fish fries, the rich and the famous and huge edifices, etc,  which all have their place in fellowship. The time has come for us to lift up Jesus and let the Father send His anointing and draw them in, after all it is the anointing that destroys the yoke.(Isaiah 10:27)

If you want to just draw a crowd of people then give them free anything, but if your trying to save souls give them Jesus and Him crucified. Make our lives living testimonies, become that peculiar people we are called to be. The lost should be flocking to follow us not us following them so that we can both fall in the same ditch.
The old land marks are tried and true and stood our forefathers well and will stand us well till He comes.
                    God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

GETHSEMANE: PRAYING ON ANOTHER LEVEL!

Praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy to be praised!!"Jesus, Jesus how I've loved Him, How I've proved Him or' and or', Jesus Jesus precious Jesus, oh for Grace to trust Him more" I love the Lord, He's been good to me, better than I can be to myself. This morning I fell off my bed while half asleep, that may not sound so bad on the surface but when you are my size and your body is in the condition mine is in it can be a "call 911" catastrophe.

To make matters worse I hit my eye on something as I fell and it was only by God's grace I did not poke it out, but it is tender and bloodshot. Some how God gave me the strength to get off that floor without having to call the Fire department for help.
When I started writing this post over four days ago I had every intention of finishing it by the next day, obviously that did not happen. The fall did more damage than I thought and tomorrow I going to see an Eye Doctor. I would ask you all to keep me in prayer but by the time I post this it will be all over so I guess I better pray for myself and I'll write about what happens tomorrow, God BLESS.

God's not dead!! He's yet alive!! hallelujah!! No major damage to my eye! just couple of burst blood vessels from the trauma which should clear up in a couple of weeks. Now I just need God to fix this air conditioning situation, but that's another story.

This week I've learned the difference between praying and praying through. Jesus prayed through in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22: 40=45  40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

 like Jesus, as I travailed in prayer I reached a breaking point. A point where I truly did not care anymore about what I wanted but what God wanted. I was ready to leave here if that was His will. Once I reached this point I felt I was actually near death but He strengthened me as He did Jesus and I was able to continue on more earnestly, but now I was praying on another level, more humble, more broken with an even greater realization of who God is and what He expects of me. I was praying with a new freedom.

I always had wondered how it felt to pray so hard that you sweat blood after I had read about Jesus in Gethsemane, now I think I have a small idea. I also often wandered why did Jesus continue praying even more earnestly after His  "never the less, not my will but thine will be done" breakthrough. I believe that now that He had accepted His fate He began to pray not that God would remove the cup from Him but that God would make Him ready, willing and able to drink it. I began praying the same thing after God let me know it wasn't my time to come home yet. I knew another heat wave was coming and I began praying for God to bring me through.

Now every time I pray I don't go to Gethsemane but I know how to get there when I need to.
Don't think I don't appreciate everyone's prayers but some times you have to withdraw off to yourself and go to your Gethsemane.

                God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

IT'S HARD TO KICK AGAINST THE "CLIQUES"!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy to be praised. I pray everyone is enjoying God's blessing. I am celebrating in my heart on one hand because my wife is returning home tomorrow after a twelve day trip due to the family business, thank you God, but on the other hand, I am mourning the loss of one of my church family. Sister Karen was special, she touched many with her powerful testimony and the joy she exhibited due to her subsequent salvation. She was truly thankful and I will miss her. I am dedicating this post to her.

Jesus told us in His word that the world would recognize His disciples by the love they have one for another. In John 13:34-35  34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.

It's a wonderful feeling on a Sunday morning, or whatever morning you go to church, you enter in expecting to experience the love and comfort of Christ from your fellow believer, you are a member of the body of Christ, praise the Lord! A disturbing pattern has become evident over the past 10 - 20 years in the body of Christ, cancer has crept in. Some of us have forgotten what the word "member" means pertaining to the body. especially the Body of Christ.

I have seen it and have heard so many sad stories. "I don't go to church anymore because I didn't feel welcome or needed."  they claimed that instead of the "right hand of fellowship" they got background checks and the third degree. And if you were not accepted by the "Cliques" then they made their "fellowship" very uncomfortable.

You see most churches today are looking for club members and not body members. 1st Corinthians 12: 14-23 Paul states   14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

We need to remember that it is not us but God who adds to the Church as He sees fit, and EVERY person He sends has a role to play in the body. How can we function efficiently if we cut off our arms and legs because we don't like them or they don't "fit in." Sister Karen I believe was a part of our church body to bring us joy and an attitude of gratitude. Paul went on to say in verses 24-28  24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

So let us welcome in all our body "members" with love and thankfulness to God so that the joy of being in Christ can be enjoyed every time we come together by everybody.

1.                           God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

YOUR FLESH AIN'T GOING WITH YOU!!!!

praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy to be praised!! I pray you all are enjoying God's blessing. I'm asking everyone who knows the word of prayer to keep me before the Lord concerning my recent illness. The doctors are saying one thing but I am not receiving that I'm putting my trust in the great physician, my Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. He is able to do exceedingly more than I could ever hope for or ask.

 I started out writing this blog about another subject but the Lord let me know that He had something else in mind. God began dealing with me about an issue a lot of Christians have and that is feeding our flesh and giving in to our flesh more than we feed and obey the Holy Spirit that is sealed and dwells within us. When it comes down to the flesh I have a lot of it, and that's because of I and it loves good food, as anyone can tell by just taking one look at my 400 plus pound frame.

Let me tell you something, the flesh is like a spoiled child and it wants what it wants when it wants it. Whether that be food, sex, power, fame, pornography, gambling or anything else it decides it needs. and your flesh does not care what you have to do to get it. Paul said in Romans 7: 18-24  18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Nothing good dwells in our flesh, our members, And let me tell you something, YOUR FLESH  DOES NOT CARE IF YOU GO TO HEAVEN OR NOT, BECAUSE IT AIN'T GOING WITH YOU!!
1st Corinthians 15: 41-50 states        4 1 There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

No flesh can enter the kingdom of God. Our flesh, when it's in charge, is like a deep "black hole" sucking the life out of our spirit man. I know that sounds harsh but it is what it is. We need to stop feeding and petting our flesh, telling it "everything is going to be alright" when it cries out demanding that it be fed. Paul talks a lot about the flesh in Romans 8:1-8    There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 Amen, I couldn't have said it better myself. Sometimes we have to give blaming the devil a rest because it's not always him it's our flesh. The flesh cannot be the strong man in yours or my house, period!
1st Peter 4:1-2    Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 
                         God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

CHURCH!! THIS WORLD IS NOT THE SOLUTION: IT'S THE PROBLEM!

praise the Lord everybody!! Fore He alone is worthy!! Worthy of all glory and worthy of all praise. I pray that you all are enjoying God's blessing. God has really been dealing with me lately concerning my role in the body of Christ in these last and evil days. The road ahead is a lot shorter now than it was twenty years ago. Time is winding down and I have not always been as diligent in my work and my commitment as I could have been. I believe God put me on a sort of "time out" so I could really think about these things when He allowed broken elevators and snow storms to keep me home bound these past months. Now God has lifted the "time out" and I believe my time to go fourth in ministry has come.

The other day I was consecrating and spending time before the Lord when I began to listen to Michael W. Smith sing "My place in this world", a beautiful song, a song that always touched me with it's passion. All of a sudden the spirit of the Lord said to me "no wonder he's so passionate, he's looking for his place in THIS world and there is no place for him in this world!" Then He began to quote scripture to me saying "In 2nd John 2:15-17 it states    15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.       

Mr. Smith like a lot of us are, was  seeking acceptance by the wrong crowd. We've been trying to fit in where we don't fit and where we're not welcome. This world is not our home, we are supposed to wear it like a lose garment, easy to slip off when we reach the finish line.
When Jesus comes for His Church we should be ready to drop this world like a bad habit. Jesus said in John 16:33  33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Even with the word saying all these things about not desiring the world and maintaining a safe distance, churches everywhere are trying to assimilate the things of the world into the body of Christ in order to be more attractive to the world to draw them in, we have forgotten that it's not the music, dancing or even the speaker that draws them to God. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts and draws us into relationship with God. God said in His word in 1st Peter 2:9   9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Who are we peculiar to? The World that's who! We can't be peculiar if we are living and acting the same way. "My place in this world" is still a pretty song but that's all it is, a pretty song that has no meaning in the body of Christ.

                             God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall



  

MEN OF GOD DON'T LOOK NOW BUT THE HOMOSEXUALS ARE DANCING!!

Praise the Lord everybody! Let everything that has breath praise ye the Lord! I pray everyone is enjoying the Lords blessing. Despite still being on lock down in our apartment due to our elevators being still out of service, my wife and I are taking advantage of all this time to draw closer to the Lord. We want to be on fire when God delivers us from this so we can hit the ground running. We don't want to have to rekindle any flames and start all over when He decides our time is come.


I was going to write about the Children of Israel and Manna from heaven but God has led me to write a second part to my last post about the New voices crying out in the wilderness 2000 years after John The Baptist. If you remember the story, John was not just preaching on the coming of Jesus, he was also preaching about Sin and the need for repentance.(Matthew chapter 3), but he also spent a lot of time rebuking  Herod in Mark 6: 17-26    17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 

God is sending out a warning to the Holy Men of today who are like John the Baptist, crying out against sin in the "wilderness". Our enemy the devil like Herodias would like to silence you but has not been able to just as she was unable, but her daughter like homosexuality now, have been growing more and more attractive in the eyes  of the world and has cast a spell over it as it dances it's hypnotic dance and weak minded so called men of God are also falling under it's spell as they add their voices to the cry for the "heads" of the John the Baptist of today who have the nerve to stand against the rising tide.

God is saying to those who are willing to stand in the gap and repair the breach that the enemy has scratched open with this new attack on the body of Christ, not to grow weary in their well doing because He has raised them up for such a time as this. A time where majority and popularity rule and not God's word. A time where sound doctrine and holiness are seen as artifacts of a bygone era only being taught by a bunch of "uneducated jail house preachers, ex druggies and old men."

God called us to be a peculiar people but most of the Church is struggling to blend in with the world. Jesus said we are "the salt of the earth" but to most of the Church the word of God leaves a bitter taste in their mouth and they refuse to swallow it. Jesus said "I have not come to bring peace but a sword"(Matthew 10:34,35) but most of the Church has compromised it's walk with God because of family more than any other reason.
But to those latter day Holy men of God who refuse to compromise God's word for family, fame or fortune, stand strong in the power of His might and keep on crying out as a voice in the wilderness against homosexuality and all sin, unmoved by the thoughts and opinions of man. The homosexuals may be dancing for your head but God...!

                        God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall